38 BOVINE PATHOLOGY. 



existence of certain functional disoedees, on the under- 

 standing that they will probably, with improvement of 

 methods of research, be proved to be due to alteration of 

 structure. The term ^^ Functional disease '^ is of value 

 clinically, especially in relation to disorders of the nervous 

 system and other parts, with the physiology of which we 

 are not very well acquainted, but as our knowledge of 

 physiology and its relation to structure advances, we 

 trace such disorders to appreciable changes of struc- 

 ture. Functional disease of the rumen occurs in some 

 cases, and leads to accumulation of gas and food in that 

 viscus. Probably the derangement is due to nervous 

 disturbance, for such accumulation is found in many 

 brain diseases. We must be understood, therefore, to 

 imply a certain amount of ignorance when we speak of 

 disorder of function. 



In conducting a post-mortem examination we must be 

 as systematic and thorough as circumstances will allow, 

 so that we shall be in a position to give evidence on each 

 case to either legal or medical authorities. The note- 

 book should be in constant use, and we must adopt an 

 established routine, to be varied as little as possible with 

 the exigencies of time, place, &c. Thus, the external 

 evidences of disorder must first be noted, position, expres- 

 sion and rigidity of the patient ; then the presence of dis- 

 order of the skin and visible mucous membranes, any indi- 

 cation of discharges or of injury, the age, sex, condition, and 

 breed of the animal, also special circumstances of history. 

 The carcase of the ox in the field must be supported by 

 means of pitchforks so placed as to sustain the limbs like 

 props. In the cow-house, or barn, or shed, the limbs of 

 one side may be supported by ropes thrown over a beam. 

 In opening the peritoneal sac by incisions through the 

 abdominal walls the conditions of the peritoneum and the 

 position and general appearance of the abdominal organs 

 must be observed, also any abnormality of the contents of 

 the peritoneal sac, which may be bloody, purulent, loaded 

 with flocculi of lymph, contain food material, &c. The 

 stomachs, with the intestines, should then be removed. 



